IAD01LA085

The pilot approached runway 20 from the left to compensate for a crosswind. However, at the point of touchdown, the airplane encountered a strong gust from the west, and the pilot did not have enough rudder authority to correct for the crosswind. The airplane traveled off the right side of the runway and "ground-looped", which resulted in substantial damage to the left main landing gear and left wing. The winds reported at Laconia Airport, Laconia, New Hampshire, at 1235, were from 230 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots. The pilot reported 1,845 hours of total flight experience, of which 113 were in make and model, and that there were no mechanical deficiencies.

On July 24, 2001 about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 195, N4352V, was substantially damaged during landing at the Moultonboro Airport (5M3), Moultonboro, New Hampshire. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he departed from runway 20 at 5M3, about 1200, and the wind was blowing from the south. He performed a local flight, and when he returned to the airport the wind had changed direction as the result of a passing weather front. He estimated the wind was blowing from the west, gusting to 30 knots. The pilot reported that he made his approach to the left of runway 20 to compensate for the crosswind, and at the point of touchdown, the airplane encountered a strong gust from the west. The pilot reported he did not have enough rudder authority to correct for the crosswind, and the airplane traveled off the right side of the runway. The airplane then "ground-looped," the landing gear broke off, and the airplane slid to a stop.

The pilot stated that his normal procedure for correcting for a crosswind was to "fly the airplane into the wind." He reported that he followed this procedure on the day of the accident; however, the wind was "too strong." The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. According to the inspector, the left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing spar was bent. He also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

The runway at 5M3 was oriented on a heading of 02/20 degrees, and was 3,625 feet long and 50 feet wide.

The pilot reported a total of 1,845 hours of total flight experience, 113 of which were in make and model.

The winds reported at Laconia Airport, Laconia, New Hampshire, 12 miles to the south of 5M3, were from 230 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 19 knots.